Vascular BioSciences announces publication of “Challenges in the development of chronic pulmonary hypertension models in large animals” in the Current Issue of Pulmonary Circulation

Feb 01, 2017

Goleta, CA., February 1, 2017 – Vascular BioSciences announces publication of “Challenges in the development of chronic pulmonary hypertension models in large animals” in the Current Issue of Pulmonary Circulation, Volume 7, Number 1, January to March 2017, pp. 1-11 by Abraham Rothman, Robert G. Wiencek, Stephanie Davidson, William N. Evans, Humberto Restrepo, Valeri Sarukhanov, and David Mann. This article details the challenges and successes in developing three models of chronic PH in large animals: two models (one canine and one swine) utilized repeated infusions of ceramic microspheres into the pulmonary vascular bed, and the third model employed a surgical aorto-pulmonary shunt.

Despite development of new treatments, pulmonary hypertension physiopathology is still poorly understood. By studying PH animal models and device techniques to obtain pulmonary vascular tissue in animals and humans, we can better understand the mechanisms leading to PH and develop improved therapies. In Vascular BioSciences’ studies, an endoarterial biopsy catheter was used which allowed pulmonary endoarterial biopsy procedures to be preformed sequentially as the PH models developed. The catheter was safe and effective. Biopsy samples were adequate for cell culture and propagation of smooth muscle and endothelial cells, histology, and the study of mRNA and microRNA changes.

Vascular BioSciences CEO and study co‒author David Mann, commented, “Elucidating the nature of the resistance or compensatory response to the development of chronic high levels of PH in pigs may offer clues that could be useful in designing new therapies for patients with PH.”